Patent GB-1455526-A (GB)
Title: Circuit breaker with spring closing means and pawl and ratchet spring charging means
IPC: H01H3/30
Filed: 1974-08-27
Abstract: 1455526 Automatic reclosing circuit-breakers WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORP 27 Aug 1974 [27 Aug 1973] 37331/74 Heading H1N A circuit breaker having a pivoted contact arm 30 is shown in Fig. 1 in the closed position in which a toggle linkage 38, 40, 42 coupled thereto is latched against the force of two springs 90 (one shown) by engagement at 82, 84 of a release member 50 and a pivotal latch lever 48 which has a roller 76 propped at face 80 of the toggle lever 42 and the knee portion at the pivot pin 58 includes a ridge 68 on link 38 which portion is retained overcentre by the inclined surface of a fixed guide 56. The erect toggle can be collapsed to open the circuit breaker by manipuating part 86 of the latch release member 50 either manually or electrically (solenoid) whereupon the ridge 68 rides up on the toggle guide 56 to cause the knee portion to reach an intermediate position, Fig. 13, towards an opposite overcentre position in which the contacts are open, the toggle is collapsed and the latch is reset (Fig. 14, not shown). A stored energy mechanism comprises two springs 46 (one shown, Fig. 1) which are charged by motor operated ratchet and pawl means, Fig. 4, comprising a rocker arm 122 which is oscillated by an eccentric 126 driven by a motor to engage an actuating pawl 120 and so to step-rotate a ratchet wheel 116 having a holding pawl 128. The ratchet wheel 116 is secured to a crank shaft (Fig. 6, not shown) centred at 44, Fig. 1, and which is rotated clockwise to extend the springs 46, which are coupled to it by links 102, to the fully charged position, Fig. 11, of the energy storage mechanism wherein a crank arm 110 is latched overcentre by engagement at 144, 148 of a release member 54 and a pivotal latch lever 52 having a roller 138 propped at a face 140 of the crank arm 110. The central portion of the crank shaft is formed with a toggle actuating member comprising a cam 108 with an arcuate peripheral surface 114 and is shown in its cocked position in Figs. 1 and 11, i.e. when the springs of the stored energy mechanism are fully charged. The mechanism can be charged independently of the position of the breaker contacts and can also be discharged at any time by actuating the latch release member 54 either manually or electrically (solenoid). When the stored energy mechanism is charged and the circuit breaker is open the toggle actuating member cam 108 is engaged with the ridge 68 of the toggle linkage knee portion (Fig. 9, not shown) the toggle can be erected and the circuit breaker can be closed by discharging the spring. During collapse of the toggle linkage the knee portion is arranged to move into the path of movement of the toggle actuating member when moving from its cocked to its initial position and consequently, provided the stored energy springs 46 are charged the circuit breaker contacts can be automatically reclosed after a tripping operation without delay and without particular regard to the momentary operating condition of the circuit breaker. Latch means 52, 54 may be provided for use with each crank arm 110 in a similar manner.